Update Golden Oak

My house was built in the 90s and has a TON of golden oak. I am interested in restaining my kitchen cabinets a darker color. First, has anyone done this? Any words of advice?

Second, if I complete the kitchen then I have to do something about the rest of the golden oak in my house (it is a very open floor plan). My initial thoughts were to pain the rest of the woodwork an off-white color.

If you have completed a project like this I would love to hear your advice.

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Update Golden Oak

The only way to restain is to completely remove the old finish, including the stain. Minwax makes a colored poly called Polyshades, but I have never been happy with the results. It tends to pool at corners sharp edges.

Update Golden Oak

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Bill

The only way to restain is to completely remove the old finish, including the stain. Minwax makes a colored poly called Polyshades, but I have never been happy with the results. It tends to pool at corners sharp edges.

I've used this product once. The cons outweigh the pros enormously.
Stain and poly separately.
Ron

Update Golden Oak

It's very difficult to remove ALL of the old finish. Any little bit left on and the new stain will take differently over the raw wood and the remains of the old finish. I would clean off all wax,grease and dirt, sand lightly so new finish will stick and stain over with a darker stain. I would use a pigmented water base stain and then go over it with water based poly brushed on or use a rattle can spray. Do a few inside doors first to see if you like it. If it doesn't work out you can always refinish completely or paint them.